The spring of 2012 is setting up to create one of the earliest ice-free dates in history. And the closer that day gets the more difficult it is to sit idly by and wait. Here are a few things you can do to bide the time as the ice gets closer and closer to sinking.

7. Buy your airline tickets for Tampa to go cheer on the Gopher men’s hockey team as they make another run at the NCAA title.

6. Head to Canal Park in Duluth to watch and dream as the big boats leave on their early season runs.

5. Watch “A River Runs Through It” one more time and perfect your shadow casting on the front lawn.

4. Spread out maps on the dining room table and plan your 2012 trip.

3. Build a fort out of old boating magazines and catalogues.

2. Clean and oil the wooden gunwhales on your canoe.

1. Set the docks up on the ice, the ice melts, and they drop straight down ready to go for summer.

Hang in there, and think of this as your early April fool’s prank. The ice can’t last forever.

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"Captain" Brad Putney considers himself an inland waters guru after spending 40 years on the lakes of Minnesota. The Captain likes to say he has been at the helm of everything from a ten-foot inflatable to an America's Cup yacht. Mr. Putney has spent time in Ely, MN working as an outfitter to the BWCA. He has degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota. Please contact at: truenorth@tds.net.